Structure straightener



Nov. 9, 1943. H. J. FREEMAN STRUCTURE STRAIGHTENER Filed March 18 1942SSheets-Sheet l INVENTOR: HafiylFree/irmz,

WI TNE-SSES:

BY @2141 W ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 9, 1943. H. J. FREEMAN STRUCTURE STRAIGHTENER Filed March'18, 19423 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 9, 1943. J. FREEMAN STRUCTURE STRAIGHTENER FiledMarch 18, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR:

Hazzglfieemazz, BY mm" I TNBESZS: 0 M

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 9, 1943 UNITED STAT STRUCTURE STRAIGHTENEB.

Harry J. Freeman,

Columbus, Ohio, assignor to l The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, lhiladelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application MarchlS,1942; Serial No. 435,147 a 8 Claims. 2 (Cl. 153-48) This invention hasgeneral reference to means designed for restoring distorted structuralareas to normal planar condition; while it relates, more particularly,to apparatus or devices adapted for thestraightening of deformedrailroad carbodies. Means of the last mentioned species, heretoforedevised, have either necessitated the rer'noval. ,o f the distortedpartor parts of the car or truck, with an expenditure of much unnecessarytime and labor; or such means has been of a stationary and non-portablein service time for the damaged car or truck.

The primary object of this invention is to overcome the above noteddisadvantages by provision of a straightener-device which can be easilycharacter with resultant loss moved to the location of a distortedstructure or the like, readily attached thereto, and the misshapen partor area promptly restored to desirable normality with a minimumexpenditure of time and labor. l

Another object of this inventionis to provide a portablestraightener-device preferably, although not essentially, designedforpromptly restoring the distorted end or ends ofrailroad cars, and thelike, to proper position irrespective of whether the car be loaded orempty. f

A further object is to provid a railroad car or truck endstraightening-device, of the species in-' dicated in the precedingparagraph, which includes provisions whereby it is automaticallyconnectable to the standard A. A. R. coupler customarily located at bothends of freight cars, as well as adjustable support for power actuatedmeans adapted to effect pressure abutment against the mis-shapen part orparts to effect the straightening-out thereof.

A still further object is the provision of' a power-actuable railroadcar end straighteningdevice which is positive in action and easily adjustable to effect the restoration of loaded or empty box or gondola cardistorted ends to proper shape, whether they-be made of flat orcorrugated material.

Additional objects of this invention involve certain improved featuresof constructiomin adevice of the species above defined, as well as thenovel combinations and arrangements of the various parts hereinafterdisclosed.

While the foregoing definitions are indicative, in a general way of theobjects of this invention, others with ancillary advantages will be,evident to those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of theconstruction, arrangement and opera? tion of the device hereafter fullydescribed; but

itwill be further appreciated that the invention of Fig. 1.

, specific terms will be employed for the sake of is susceptible ofother embodiment or'structurally modified forms, than the one chosen forillustrative purposes in'the accompanying drawings, and coming equallywell within the terms of the concluding claims.

Iii-the drawings:

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of a preferred form of car or truck endstraightening device, in accordance with this invention, coupled to agondola car and in position for re-shaping the adjoining bulged out, endthereof, and with parts in section for the better clarification ofstructural details.

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of the straightem'ng-device'. i j

Fig. 3 is 'a' correspondingview at the rear end thereof. 1

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, taken a'pproximately as indicated by theangle-arrows IV -IV inFig.1. v Fig. 5 is a s'imilarsection, on the planV-V Figs. (Sand 7 are detailjse'ctions taken, respectively, ,on thearrowediplarles and VII VII in Fig. 5, anddrawn to. larger scale forpurposes of clarity. e r

' In describing the form of this invention, exem plified intheabovecaptioned drawings herewith,

clarity, but it is to be understood the scope of said invention is notthereby limited; each such term being intended to embrace allequivalents which perform the same function for an analogouspurpose. y Hi Referring more in detail tothe drawings which, conveniently,illustrate a form of this invention well adapted for straightening thedistorted ends of railroad gondola, or box," cars either'loadedjorempty, the reference character l indicates spaced fragmentary lengths ofrail forming a'trackway; while 2 generally designates a broken portionof a standard type gondola car, having the sheet metal end 3 outwardlybellied or distorted; and 4 comprehensively denotes thestraightening-device of this invention.

This straightening-device, 4 comprises a structure conveniently composedof opposed channels,

preferably having the flangesi, 5' inwards, said channels definingvertical columns or postsfi for support of .a coupler 'l and the jack 8,which will be later onagain referred to. Rigidly secured, as by a weld9, to the lower outer web portion of each post 6, is are'arwardly-extending inverted T-section or base member Ill, and inplanar alignment" therewith is a" forwardly-directed angle-section,having the {vertical flange united explained, and to better restrainthe device 4 against deflection from the vertical, when seated on thehead or ball of track rails I. To secure the posts 6 in rigid spacialrelation, use is conveniently made of a T-section upper brace I5 havingits ends suitably united, as by end welds Inclined struts 48 are weldedto the lower angular bends of the bars 43, at 49, and to the forwardends of the device base angles I I, at 50, to rigidly brace the partsconnected thereby; whileacross tie 5| connects the forward angles I I inparallel.

The jack beam 42, as best understood from Figs. 2 and 4, is of anover-all length in excess of the width across the posts 6; while theupper and lower flanges 52, 52? thereof are provided with notches 53 forsliding coaction with the post forward flanges 5, whereas the webportion of said beam similarly coacts with the bars 43 forvarticalguidance; in an obvious manner. The beam '42 is preferablyreinforced by a rearwardly di I rected truss-structure comprising anangled-brace 54witha center post 55 and spacedly-related re- IS, to theadjoining inner face of the web por- I tions of said posts; while thetop surface of the flange I! of said brace I 5 is preferably locatedcoplanar with the upper edges of the posts 6. Angle 'section struts I8are conveniently welded at I9, 20, respectively to the upper'outer orrear flanges 5' of the posts 6, and to the inner races of the legportionsof the T-section base members I; and, with intervening diagonalbraces 2|, preferably of angle-section, united thereto by welds 22 andtoone another by similar means 23, jointly serve torig'i'difythe device4, as a fabricated frame-like structure.

IThe Supporting means for the coupler I preferably comprises atransverse channel-section carrier or beam 24, conveniently secured bywelds 25, 26 across the forward flanges of'the posts 6, at the desirableelevation for axiallyaligning said coupler with the correspondingcoupler I, at the adjoining end of the car 2. It is observable the beam24 ,is conveniently of corresponding stock tothat'of the posts 6, andthat the web 2'! thereof is in abutment against the post front flanges5; while the beam 24 is reinforced by a diagonal bra e 28 united'to themedial part or the web 21 and the inner vertical edges of the post rearflanges 5' by .weldsfl 29, '30, respectively. The shank (H ofthecoupl'er I is aflordeds'ubstantial bearing on the upper edge of asomewhat triangular strap-like support 32, including an outer roundingas at 324,,said support having the inner ends inabutment with andwelded-to the outer face of the beamfweb 21 at 33,v and also seating onthelower flange 34 of the" beam 24 and similarly attached to saidflange. Th supporttLit is to be also remarked, is further sustained byoblique braces 36 secured thereto by welds 31, with corresponding welds33 uniting them to theupper flange of the carrier beam 24, as readilyunder stood on an inspection of Fig. 1,'more particularly. The couplershank 'SI passes through 'a corresponding-section aperture 39 in the web27 of the carrier beam 24,1and is fitted with rec tang'ular platewashers 40 as well as a retainer key M while it is observable thelow'er'portion I. of; the coupler 7 is afiorded a restricted degree ofarcual movement, incident to coaction offsaid portion I with the supportrounding32'.

The means for carrying the jack 8, with free-, dom for verticaladjustment, consists of' a move able channel-section beam 42, affordedguidance by flat bars43 in spaced parallel relation to the forwardflanges 5, of the posts 5,'said bars having their lower portionsinwardly-angled at 44, to seat on the upper flange of the coupler beam24, and

rigidly attached thereto by welds/45. On the other hand the upper endsof the barsl4'3fare stepped, approximately Zflashion, at 46 and, secured in abutment to theflanges' 5 bya'weld 41'.

. or retractedimo.

versely-inclined ties 56; all of said parts 54-45 being rigidly-unitedto the web of the beam .42,

intermediate the flanges 52 thereof, by welds 5 1. It'will now bereadily understood the beam 42 is to resist the compression-thrust ex-1erted by the jack 8, when in action, as later cn:

fabricated explained.

The"jack for instance, one comprising a gear-and-pinlon drive-attachment"58 operated by *a reversible pressure-air motor 59, both securely"attached to thegbeam 42, and said motor including-a piston T head 6 I,'all'in accordancevvitlrknovjri 60 having a practice; r For jraising orball 61, 'is appropriately the supportingfbeam 42 and jac' 8; in," fo'r-In order to provide adequate support rdr at propriate straightenerelements T2, see Fig. 1,

the angleemer'nber St? is fitted, with spacedundenilying stepped straps13, conveniently attached theretoby elds T 5, said strapsaifording slid}able guidance for fiat bars 15 havin 'the rear ends conveniently shapedat T6 to afiord" means 7 whereby; they are more "easily moved forward',

end a. The straightener'elements 1gareprerer ably in the form ofblocksgrooved, as indicated at 17,ffor!engagement over the corrugatestiflfeners 18, or the upper. angle reinforc 79,1commoii1y forming ,apart of railroad understandablefromfFig. 1.

To hold the device a ,rigidjwhenlmovedintfo to'the distorted 'end 7 7mutually operative position, relative 3 of the car 2, with the couplersI, engaged, means such'as opposing clamp elements 8ilare preferablyprovided at the lowerendsof the respective posts'ii, aswell. as inconnection with the'o-uter rear portion of the T-bar bas members It andunited endsjof the diagonal braces 2|.

These clamp elements!!!) are prefer: ably in the form ofstep or joggled.mBmberS having'the lower ends angled inwards atelier snug engagementbelow the head or balllp'ortio of the railsfi, while said members areretained inassemblyby throughibolts 2:2 with Wedge-keys 83ya11as readilyunderstandable by those con/ 8 may be of any appropriate ram loweringthe jackifl, withth associated carrying-beam 42,- an over-reaching i.yoke hanger 62 is securely fixed at 63fto the up per inner parts of thestraighteningdevice 6-, said hangerhaving suitable provisiom at' 64;

-forsuspension of a conventional chain-hoist'6 l; or the like, with asuitable cable I55. A lifter or. '1

7 attached by fastenlfit means 68 tothe vertical flarige'of anangle-mern ber 69, permanently secured to the underside 'oI the hook! I,at the .or from abutment with thec'ar car ends," as readily versant withthe art. n Obviouslyfother; suitable fastening means, instead of theclamp elements and key-bolts 82,,may be employed for securing the device4 to the rails l. t

To afford a convenient station for theoperator, of the device 4, aplatform 84 is provided rearwardly of the posts 6.; This platform is,preferably, attached by carriage bolts 8'5 to angle-- bars 86, 81respectively securedacross'the rear flanges '5' of the posts 6 and tothe struts l8, all as readily understandableby thoseacquainted with theart; Thus it 'will be apparent that an operator standing on the platform84 is in a-most convenient position to manipulate the hoist 65 as wellas control actuation 'of' the jack 8. A tool-box 3% may, alsofbamountedintermediate the leg portions of the 'T-section base members it inabutment withjthepost flanges Having fully outlinedthe structuralaspectsof the improved car end straightening-device 4, the use and operationthereof is briefly as follows:

Assuming, as hereinbefore indicated, that a "standing or braked gondolacar 2 has the end bulged out, as shown at 3 in Fig. 1, the device l issuitably transported or moved to the rails I, whereon the car 2 islocated, and suitably positioned with the base members ill, I! seated onthe ball portions of said rails with the clamp elements so looselyengaging said rail at both sides thereof; whereupon the device 4 ispushed,

or otherwise forced, towards the car end3 until the couplers l, linterengage, when the clamp bolt keysBt are driven tight to hold thedevice rigidly in position. The operator next raises or lowers the jack8 to the desired elevation, and then pushes the bars towards thedistorted car end 8, until their forward extremities abut said car end,whereupon the necessary block 12, or a plurality of such blocks 12 asshown with an associated across the bars 1'5.

Air under pressure is bridging piece 12', is seated now admitted to therethrust-mechanism to and therebygreatly facilitating the straighteningoperation.

In conclusion, illustrated embodiment of the"invention,-hereindisclosed, adequately vantages primarily'set forth, it is to beunderstood the said invention is subject to variation, modification,andother "application, within the spirit and scope of the *followingclaims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A portable deviceforrestoring the distorted walls of railroad cars and'the like to normalcondition comprising side components of inverted T-formation withvertical united channel-sections defining spaced posts having rearwardlyand forwardly extending base supports directly alignable withand-placeable on top of railroad rails; side struts and lateral bracesconnecting the side components in rigid parallelism; a stationaryreinforced be'a'm Qperman'ently secured across the columns and affordingbearing for a forwardly-directed car-coupling adapted to interengage theconventional coupler means of an adjoining car end; a transversereinforced beam vertically guided by the spaced posts, said beam beinglocated above the car coupling and affording rigid support for ahorizontally-effective thrust-mechanism; a hanger-bracket carried byandprojecting forwardly over from the upper part of the thehanger-bracket adapted for elevating the ing the car wallstraightening-operation; slidable' versible motor 59, from anycontrollable source-- not shown-to effect advancement of the actuator(ill, for force abutment of. its head 6| against the block 12, whereuponent that under continued pressure exerted by the air, the bulged-out end3 will be pushed or shoved back into its normal position without removalof the car end. When the car end has assumed the normal straightened outposition, the motor it will be readily appar- 59 is reversed, and thehead 6| will obviously be retracted, whereupon the block or blocks 12is,

or are, removed and the car again is in proper service condition. Itwill, also, be readily understood that car loads of long material can bepushed back on the truck, concurrently with, or without, effecting thestraightening operation; while the steel ends of box cars, both plainand corrugated, can be straightened by simply elevating the jack 8, bymeans of the to the desirable level for effecting the restorativeoperation above explained. Particular attention is directed to the factthat, in actual practice, car ends, such as 3, have beenstraightened-out by the device 4 herein disclosed in less than one-halfhour, as contrasted with an expenditure of from}? to 9 man hours, underpre vailing practice; while it is further worthy of notation that, byconnecting the device 4 to the coupler i of the car 2' to be operatedon, and by clamping the base member ID, ll firmly to the heads of therail I, that the thrust of the plunger head M is effectively and rigidlyopposed by the car 2 jointly with the clamp means 80,

hoist B5,

to the upper ends of the bars carried by the movable beam for projectionV into contact with the adjoining car wall to be straightened, said barsjointly affording support for a staightener-elementi" a platformprojecting rearwardly from the spaced posts for the operator ofthedevice; and longitudinally-spaced means associated with the column lowerends and the base support-rear ends for rigidly clamping the portabledevicealignedly on the heads of railroad rails, whereby the activestroke of the thrustmechanism is effectively and rigidly opposed by thecar being operated on and the means clamping said device to the railroadrails.

2. A portable straightening-device, as defined in claim 1, wherein theside components consist of opposedly-re1ated channel-section postshaving integrally connected rearward base supporting portions ofinverted T-section and aligned substantially-shorter base supportingportions of angle-section; a T-section rigidly connects the posts attheir upper ends; the side struts consist of angle-sections respectivelyconnecting the outer ends'of the rear base supporting portions ends ofthe forward base supporting portions to an intermediate point in theheight of said posts; intersecting diagonal-braces connect the rear sidestruts; and a tie rod intervenes the outer ends of the forward basesupporting portions of angle-section.

3. A portable straightening-device, as defined in claim 1, whereinthestationary beam consists of a channel-section rearwardly reinforcedby a diagonal-brace, said brace integrally connecting the medialweb-portion of the beam to the relatively remotelvertical edges of theleg sections of the inverted T-section side components; and an angularstrap having a medial rounding with obliquely related braces isintegrally secured edgewise-vertical intermediate the channel-secwhileit is self-evident that the f fulfills the objects and adspaced posts; ahoist suspended from the desired level for efiect posts, and the outertion'fianges touafford rigid bearing for the car-r coupler. 4 l

4'. A portable straightening-device, as defined iii-claim; 1,, wherein:the movable beam consists of a channel-section having the flangesspacedly nently secured ta the'web' and fiangesoi the channel-section;and-means whereby a suitable power-actuated thrust-mechanism isattachable to said movable beam.

5. A portable straightening-device, as defined inclaim 1, wherein thehoist sustaining hangerbracket consists of a semiearched yoke having a.medial suspension-eya'the ends of said yoke being integrally-secured tothe upper inner parts. of the side component spaced posts; and the hoistis of the chain type.

6. A portable straighteningdevice, as definedin claim 1, wherein. theclamp means consist of inclaim; wherein beam are-defined byQtheforwardefaces of the j respective side component post sections, and anbars-spacedly attached. to said sections are suit- Y JSSQQ Q:opposingly-related transversely-ioggled. elements having thevlower endsinwardly turned;

boltsto adiustably secure said elementsto lower parts of the invertedT-formationjslde components in longitudinally spaced relation.

' 1.;Ariorta'ble straightening-device, as defined in claim 1, wherein:the slidable members for sup-l port'of thestraig'htener element are inthe-form.

of Ilatibars having the" inner'ends shaped 1oz easy handling;

tothe underside of themovablebeam, in um, I

components,

v I 8. .A portable straightening-device, as defined.

the guides for the movable respective ends. tocomplete-- ably angled attheir the .guideways andsaid members are 'movably supported' lby steppedstraps, integrally-attached HARRY J. i

